We woke up early to keep a promise to Alphonse. Today, we were bringing him to the mall, we promised him yesterday. So, even as we had a late night to see visiting relatives, we dragged ourselves from our beds and get up for Alphonse.

Part of Alphonse’s daily program is a twice-daily walk around the neighborhood, accompanied by his nannies, teachers, and when home from school early, his big brother Alex.

Today, we promised to take the walk with him, and to amp the experience, do it in a mall. He hasn’t gone to a mall since he got sick and this would be a test of sorts. We planned to be in by opening time and be out as soon as the walk was done. Just to see him in a different environment made us happy. I hope that this could mean the start of more freedom for him.

Rest after the walk

Chugging down cold water on a hot day

It’s the little things that make us happy. See him waving?

All parents want their children to be happy. If we could give them that, we would have done our part in this cycle of life. And for that short hour we were together, Alphonse certainly was. If only for that, this Sunday was all that it promised and more.